1.2.4

Meditation

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Meditation

Meditation is the primary practice of a Buddhist, with the aim of transforming their minds to a state of clearer vision and ultimate peace.

Meditation

Meditation

  • Meditation is based on the experience of Buddha.
  • Samatha is concentration, performed in order to calm the mind.
  • Some Buddhists use a meditation-object to concentrate on.
Necessary Meditation

Necessary Meditation

  • Metta bhavana (loving kindness) is concerned with developing kindness, repeating phrases like 'may you be happy'.
  • Vipassana meditation is an insight into what the true nature of our reality is. In the Theravada tradition, it is an insight into the Three Marks of Existence: impermanence, suffering and the realisation of non-self.
Other forms of Meditation

Other forms of Meditation

  • Mindfulness breathing is found in Tibetan, Zen and Theravada. Buddha taught people to sit beneath a tree and notice the breath, which helps in training the mind to be sensitive and focused.
  • Zazen is seated meditation, practised in Zen Buddhism, as a means of insight into the nature of existence. There are two schools:
    • Studying Koan, a puzzle with no solution showing how inadequate logical reasoning is, leading to enlightenment.
    • Where the mind has no object at all.
Pure Land Visualisation

Pure Land Visualisation

  • In the Amitayus Meditation Sutra, the Buddha describes to the imprisoned Queen Vaidehi the thirteen visualisation methods corresponding to the levels of rebirth.
  • Contemplation of:
    • the setting sun.
    • the expanse of water.
    • the ground in the Pure Land.
    • trees in the Pure Land.
    • ponds in the Pure Land.
    • various objects in the Pure Land.
    • lots- throne of the Buddha.
    • the image of Amitabha Buddha.
    • Amitabha Buddha.
    • Avalokitesvara.
    • Mahasthamaprapta.
    • the aspirants to the Pure Land.
    • Amitabha and the two bodhisattvas.
Nine levels of birth

Nine levels of birth

  • The final part of the sutra is when Gautama Buddha categorises the nine levels of those born in the Pure Land.
  • The highest grade, the middle grade and the lowest grade, all have within them:
    • highest level.
    • middle level.
    • lowest level.

Chanting

Chanting is the traditional means of preparing the individual's mind for meditation.

Chanting

Chanting

  • In the Theravada Buddhism, the most common chants are: 1) Buddhabhivadana (a preliminary reverence to the Buddha) 2) Tiratana (the three refuges) 3) Pancasila (the five precepts)
Dhammapada 1-2

Dhammapada 1-2

  • 'Mind precedes all knowables, mind’s their chief, mind-made are they. If with a corrupted mind one should either speak or act dukkha follows caused by that, as does the wheel the ox’s hoof. Mind precedes all knowables, mind’s their chief, mind-made are they. If with a clear, and confident mind one should speak and act as one’s shadow ne’er departing.' (Dhammapada 1-2)
Dhammapada 190

Dhammapada 190

  • 'He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Teaching and his Order, penetrates with transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths — suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering'.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

  • Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the name for the Lotus Sutra in the Japanese Buddhist tradition.
  • In the Japaenese school, the Lotus Sutra is believed to be a culmination of 50 years of the Buddha's teaching.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Meditation

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is Samatha?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Which of these statements about Meditation are true?True / false
  3. 3
    The most common chants in Theravada Buddhism:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Which passages of the Dhammapada details the mind?Multiple choice
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Puja

Death